Gov. Jerry Brown set to name top jobs advisor Thursday

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Gov. Jerry Brown is expected to name retired Bank of America Executive Vice President Michael E. Rossi as his new top jobs advisor Thursday, numerous Capitol sources have confirmed.

Brown is expected to announce the appointment at a Capitol news conference Thursday. Rossi was not reachable for comment.

According to Business Week magazine, Rossi began his banking career with Bank of America in 1966, working as a desk officer in San Francisco. After a series of international banking roles for Citibank and Wells Fargo, he returned to Bank of America in 1986 as senior vice president. He retired from the company in 1997.

Rossi serves on the board of Shorenstein Properties, a San Francisco-based firm that owns more than $6.2 billion in commercial property, and as a senior advisor to the San Francisco 49ers, according to an online biography.

Business leaders around the state have urged Brown to appoint a “jobs czar” for months. Carl Guardino, president of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, said having a point person in the administration focused on an overall jobs plans for the state is essential to helping the state’s double-digit unemployment rate.

“The main thing this person has got to do is be willing to tilt sacred cows rather than risking bruised egos to actually recommend and push for what’s needed to strengthen the business climate and create jobs in California,” he said. “That’s not going to be an easy role.”

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-- Anthony York in Sacramento